GENEVA, Ohio — According to the National Fire Protection Association, females make up less than 10% of the U.S fire service.
What You Need To Know
- The city of Geneva has hired its first female firefighter
- Female firefighters make up less than 10% of the U.S. fire service
- Firefighter Rachel Carcell hopes to inspire other women to follow their dreams
Rachel Carcell is now joining the ranks as the city of Geneva’s newest firefighter.
“This position, it took a lot of work. You have to be strong to do it, you can’t be the weak little one in the corner,” Carcell said. “You have to be able to keep up with the guys.”
Carcell has been working toward this goal since she was a teenager. She worked with the fire department through Geneva’s explorer program.
“It’s where kids in high school can get on and basically just get the hang of the fire service,” she explained. “They can participate and get out tools and flow some water.”
Carcell has lived in the Ashtabula County city of Geneva her whole life and her family has a history with the fire department.
“My uncle was a firefighter here, so he was just kind of like just come up and get an application for the explorer program and see if you like it and go from there,” she said. “I got on and fell in love with it and I love doing everything.”
Carcell hopes that by breaking barriers at the fire department, she will inspire other young girls to follow their dreams.
“Being the first female here, I want other females to see that they can do this. Kids growing up and girls, if they want to go play with a firetruck, go play with them,” Carcell said. “My favorite part of being a firefighter is being able to help the community and work with the guys and we all have a close connection, so it’s like a family.”
